ECAC hockey tournament to return to Lake Placid

August 10, 2012

An ECAC official contacted on Friday could not comment on the move, which was first reported by College Hockey News, and he did not deny the accuracy of the report.

It was a close vote, but Lake Placid beat out Albany and Providence, who were also in the mix to host the ECAC tournament, according to the College Hockey News report.

ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) is one of the five NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conferences.

The state Olympic Regional Development Authority on Tuesday is scheduled to announce that Lake Placid will host a "major multi-year sporting event commencing in 2014."

ORDA spokesman Jon Lundin would not confirm the ECAC move, only that there was a press conference scheduled on Tuesday regarding a sporting event.

The ECAC's hockey tournament was held in Lake Placid from 1992-2002. The competition, which includes teams from 12 of the most prestigious ice hockey programs in the nation, was being held in Atlantic City, but the contract for that location expires after the upcoming 2013 season.

Local officials contacted on Friday regarding the news of the ECAC's return said they were pleased, and that the event brings a big economic impact.

North Elba Town Supervisor Roby Politi said he knew Lake Placid was working to get the ECAC to return, but did not hear about the vote that brings te hockey event back to the Olympic Village.

"I think it's great," he said in a phone interview Friday. "I think as far as Lake Placid is concerned, we continue to secure major events which have a large economic impact. Certainly, the ECAC has a long standing relationship with Lake Placid."

Lake Placid Mayor Craig Randall was equally pleased by the news on Friday.

"It's a wonderful event and it belongs in Lake Placid," he said. "I am absolutely delighted."

Randall said he's long been an advocate of having the ECAC hockey tournament being played in Lake Placid, and remembered the impact it had on the community.

"Lake Placid has such a deep tradition in hockey and an ECAC connection," Randall said. "I remember when they used to have the tournament here. It had a significant and positive impact on the economy. The significance is tremendous."

Politi spoke of the history dating back to Ned Harkness, former hockey coach at Cornell University and inducted into the Lake Placid Hall of Fame in 1993,

"He ran ORDA and was instrumental in bringing the ECAC to Lake Placid," Politi said. He was also thankful for the effort that will bring the hockey tournament back to the area.

"I congratulate ORDA and Ted Blazer's staff for filling the void left by Division III," he said.

"North Country hockey fans, when they read this news, will be thrilled," Randall said.